A quick update on our bunny, Stormy. We ran out of meds sooner than I expected so he went to the vet Tuesday instead of today. He’s also been having some discharge from the eye but the vet seemed to think it wasn’t anything to be concerned about. Dr. Roth says we’re not out of the woods yet but there is progress. His eye is slowly but surely healing, it’s just going to take time and patience. That was good news.

Did you know clove oil could be used as anesthesia for fish? Now you know. Most people use it for pain in their gums but unfortunately for me and my poor goldfish that was not why I went hunting for clove oil. I found some at the health food store for a reasonable price.

For years I used the freezer method to put a sick/dying fish down. I was dreading it. I really hated the method but what else could I do? The only other options, I had been told, was to chop off its head, flush it down the commode, remove it from water or squish it–none of which was happening via me.

Instead of blindly doing what I had always been doing I went on the internet to see if there was another way and found a website called Wise Geek. They give good information on a humane way of euthanizing fish. They advise the best way to euthanize the fish is to “First, anesthetize the fish with clove oil so that it is sleeping and unable to feel pain; then introduce a clear grain alcohol like vodka to ensure the fish will not wake up.”

To be honest I did not use vodka. I don’t drink and I was not interested in going into a liquor store to buy alcohol. What I ended up doing was a lethal dose of clove oil as described further down in the article. The fish died quickly and if it can be called this, peacefully.

The reason why I’m talking about it is because while it is hard to lose an animal, sometimes you are the one who has to decide to end its life humanely. Worse, you’re the one that has to do the deed. After using the clove oil I have to agree it is humane and would recommend its use if needed. I want this information out there for anyone who has a fish tank.

The other two goldfish are doing fine at this time but the 55 gallon they’re in looks bigger somehow. The humongous pleco and the three corys, this includes the little cory who has to be at least fifteen years old, are all in there and well. Still, we’re missing a friend and it will be awhile before that big hole where he used to swim in the tank closes.